Exhibit 12.1 M.A. Hanna Company Ratio of Earnings to Fixed Charges (in thousands) Nine Months Ended September 30 Year Ended December 31 1996 1995 1995 1994 1993 1992 1991 Consolidated pre-tax income from continuing operations $ 77,309 $ 77,739 $ 98,821 $ 66,222 $37,654 $27,005 $(16,195) Adjustments Fixed charges - excluding capitalized interest Consolidated interest expense 15,582 20,295 26,278 28,549 32,258 32,509 23,221 Interest portion of rental expense 4,856 4,410 5,942 5,624 5,281 4,729 4,905 Total fixed charges 20,438 24,705 32,220 34,173 37,539 37,238 28,126 Adjusted earnings $97,747 $102,444 $131,041 $100,395 $75,193 $64,243 $11,931 Ratio of earnings to fixed charges 4.78 4.15 4.07 2.94 2.00 1.73 0.42